Get ready for a magical time at CONjuration!

October is almost over, and that means one thing: CONjuration is soon upon us!!

Taking place November 6-8 in a new location (the Courtland Grand Hotel in Downtown Atlanta), CONjuration is the magical, fantastical fandom convention that provides over 200+ panels, performances, games, and magical experiences! You can find information about the convention and ticket pricing here. 

Anthony, Hanako, Michael, and Michele will once again be leading some of the discussions that weekend, bringing back some of our favorite panel topics. Our weekend schedule is as follows:

Friday, November 6

10:00pm Fandom Funerals and Repass: Why Fictional Deaths Feel Real to Us - As fans of fictional worlds, we often find ourselves emotionally attached to the characters we read about or watch onscreen. When a fictional character dies, it has as much of an impact on us as though these characters existed in our reality. Join us for our annual group therapy session as we discuss the fictional deaths that affected us the most this year, and what their deaths can teach us about how to process our own grief and loss.

 Saturday, November 7

2:00pm Therapy in the Tower: The Villain, the Wicked Witch, and the Dragon Queen - What would happen if some of fantasy’s most complicated characters finally sat down with a therapist? Therapy in the Tower returns with three new clients: Bellatrix Lestrange, Elphaba, and Daenerys Targaryen. Through an engaging, often humorous mock-therapy format, this panel explores the trauma, relationships, identities, and choices that have shaped these iconic women. We’ll examine Bellatrix’s obsessive devotion and radicalization, Elphaba’s experiences with rejection and being labeled an outsider, and Daenerys’s journey through trauma, grief, power, and loss. Blending real psychological concepts with the worlds we love, the audience will help explore one big question: Are these characters misunderstood, in need of therapy, or, in some cases, beyond the therapist’s couch?

3:00pm Saying Farewell to the Frasers: An Outlander Fan Panel - After ten years and eight tumultuously emotional seasons, we have said goodbye to Jamie and Claire Fraser and the rest of their extended family. We will discuss the good (emotional reunions), the bad (they killed WHO?!?!), and what's next for the Frasers in the final installment of Diana Gabaldon's best-selling book series. Did the show meet your expectations for concluding the story? Were you pleased or upset by the major changes from the book? Let's have an imaginary dram and toast farewell to our favorite Scots as we settle in for television's permanent Droughtlander.

5:00pm Fathers are the Worst - From Darth Vader to Tywin Lannister, from Denethor to Stannis Baratheon, fantasy is full of fathers who break their children instead of building them up. This panel dives into the most memorable “worst dads” in fantasy literature, film, and television — the absent, the abusive, and the emotionally unavailable. Why does fantasy lean so heavily on father figures as sources of trauma and conflict? What does this say about inheritance, legacy, and generational wounds? Join us for a mix of fandom fun and critical reflection on the dads who make us grateful for our own.

6:00pm Moms Aren't Better - Mother knows best… or does she? From Margaret White’s terrifying devotion in Carrie to Alicent Hightower’s tangled loyalties in House of the Dragon and Queen Isabelle’s deadly family traditions in Damsel, these mothers make “because I said so” sound like a threat. Join us for a lively discussion of maternal power, manipulation, and the dangerous line between protecting your children and controlling their lives. When does “I did it for my family” become the worst excuse in fantasy and horror?            

9:00pm We Are Here, Too: A Look at POC Representation in Fantasy Literature & Media - In recent years, fantasy and/or genre-based shows and films have led the way in diversity and representation in media: House of the Dragon, The Wheel of Time, Interview With the Vampire, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, and our new Captain America - just to name a few. These changes don't always go over with everyone, but why? Are they basing their opinions on "the color of the skin, or the content of the character"? We'll have a discussion about these choices and how representation can be good for all, not just the ones who need it.

11:00pm - The Brat Prince is Back! The Vampire Lestat Show Discussion - The first two seasons of Interview with the Vampire gave us the story from Louie's perspective. Now, with the release of Daniel Malloy's best-selling novel of the same name, it is time for the Brat Prince to come out of the shadows and tell his side of the story. Join us as we discuss the music, the drama, and the heartbreak that is The Vampire Lestat.

 Sunday, November 8

3:00pm – Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 2 discussion - Season 2 of Outlander: Blood of My Blood brings back the romance, political drama, and heartbreak of Season 1, but with bigger stakes. Julia and Henry find themselves separated again while dealing with new revelations about how time travel works. Brian and Ellen also find themselves separated: Ellen to deal with the consequences of her actions as home, and Brian as he answers the call to war. Enemies new and old, strange alliances, and continued hope drive this season. Join us as we discuss the first half of the season, and what we hope will come for the later half (which airs after CONjuration).